Nothing to play for? That's not quite true for Pompey
Friday, 24th Apr 2015 22:16 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey aim to end a wretched away campaign on a happier note than what's gone before when they visit Mansfield this weekend.

The Blues are a woeful 22nd in the 'away league table' with only two wins and nine draws - having lost exactly half their 22 matches on the road to date.

It's cost them a genuine attempt at securing a play-off place and is one of the big factors that cost Andy Awford his job.

In truth a win at Mansfield will do little to paper over the cracks of Pompey's efforts away from Fratton but it would at least be an overdue reward for the hardy set of fans who have continued to follow Pompey to all corners, despite what they've had to endure along the way.

That was a theme taken up by caretaker boss Gary Waddock, who told the Pompey website: 'We’ve got our pride and we’re representing this fantastic football club. We also owe it to the supporters to give it our all.

'I’ve been very impressed with the number of fans that go to away games — it’s amazing really. We’d like to get a result for them because our form on the road hasn’t been the best and we want to put it right at Mansfield.

'I’ve been encouraged by the way we’ve played in our last couple of games, but we haven’t been rewarded for that and I’d like that to change. Once these two games are finished then the players can think about switching off and going on holiday. Until that point we’ll remain professional in our approach and make sure we play to a decent standard.'

Nyron Nosworthy is the latest struck down by Pompey's defensive injury jinx. His hamstring problem, which will keep him out of the Mansfield trip, comes on top of Ben Chorley, Jack Whatmough, Paul Robinson and Josh Passley being sidelined.

Johnny Ertl stands by to deputise, while Conor Chaplin, Adam May and Ben Close could all feature again.